weighing, moving, etc. (long one)

I had a question about est. weight.  According to the books I have read, the OTT method is the best.  I also read that the measurements should be from the 'highest' point of the fruit.  Won't using the highest point for the measurements bias the weights heavy? In addition, how to you ensure that you are measuring from the same spot each time?

It has been suggested that I cut the pumpkins since there are SVB's in the vines of all 3 plants.  I have cut off some secondaries with SVBs, but am not sure how to get them out of the mains.  I read about cutting them out, but I am not sure where they are exactly.  I see the entry point, but don't know where they moved and don't want to cut along the whole vine.  The boys are at 270, 214 and 140 pounds. I am struggling with that concept, although I need to listen to the more experienced.  I want to get a few more pounds, but don't want to risk losing them.  It has been very damp and cool at night and very humid during the day.  At night I cover them with blankets and plastic, but the blankets just get damp and there is moisture on the inside of the plastic in the morning.  I have resorted to putting the tarps back on them since rain is forcasted.  Now I worry that there is not enough air movement under the tarps to compensate for the humidity.

Once cut, how do I move them?  I was planning on using heavy tarps and several people, but I need to get them onto a pick-up truck to take them to a local feed store to get them weighed.  I don't have access to a forklift or a lifting contraption.  I wasn't sure how to secure them once in the truck without damaging them.  I was going to set them on comforters in the truck.  

Then how do I keep them healthy until Halloween?  I would probably have to put them back in their cages since the animals have very healthy appetites around here.  Then I run back into the question of rain and cool damp nights.  

Is it obvious that I am obsessed, paranoid, a bit depressed at the potential of losing them?  Anyone have any pumpkin Prozac????????

Last year was my first attempt and the 'kin God's were not with me.  I blame the rain and my dead cat's ashes I put on the plants.  The only one I had (maybe 70 lbs) looked great but was soup on the bottom when I rolled it.  

I have had great advice from everyone this year, esp. David from IL.  Any end of season advice will be greatly appreciated.

Debbie

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